Syracuse, NY -- The Syracuse University football team returned to the practice field Thursday to begin preparations for Friday’s 8 p.m. Big East showdown with No. 13 West Virginia in the Carrier Dome (ESPN). The message it received from head coach Doug Marrone was concise. It has been repeated often.

“Consistency,” Marrone said Sunday before the team convened for an afternoon practice. “That’s what we haven’t been. Consistent. Try to play consistent football for 60 minutes. We have in spots but not nearly enough.”

Marrone said the roster that heard the message was healthier than it has been since the season opened six weeks ago. Back on the practice field Thursday were second-team all-conference defensive end Chandler Jones and strong safety Olando Fisher. Each has missed the last five games after suffering lower-body injuries Sept. 1 in a season-opening victory over Wake Forest. They will join a defense that welcomed back starting strong safety Shamarko Thomas in its last game following a two-game absence with a hamstring injury.

“Chandler’s back and has looked great in practice,” Marrone said. “Obviously there is a little rust there. Shamarko has a game under his belt. Olando is back, which will help us.”

The Orange (4-2, 0-1) will need those players and the rest of the defenders playing at their peak if it hopes to slow down West Virginia (5-1, 1-0). The Mountaineers are No. 11 in the nation in total offense (503.5 yards per game) and No. 4 in passing offense (380.5 ypg). Syracuse is No. 71 in total defense (397.33 ypg allowed) and No. 112 in passing defense (293 ypg allowed).

“We’re going to have to play very well,” Marrone said. “Fortunately, this is the healthiest we’ve been in a long time.”

The Orange received a scare during its 37-34 victory Oct. 8 at Tulane when junior defensive tackle Deon Goggins sat out a good part of the second half with an ankle injury. Goggins has been SU’s best defensive lineman thus far – he is No. 2 on the team 5.0 tackles for a loss and No. 4 overall with 30 tackles, more than any SU d-tackle had in 13 games last season. Marrone said Goggins was limited when the team reconvened for practice Thursday but should be a full go by Friday.

The return of Jones should give a lift to an Orange pass rush that has produced only 10 sacks in the first six games. The return of Fisher will give defensive coordinator Scott Shafer some flexibility as he game-plans for West Virginia.

Fisher started the season as the nickel back in SU’s Okie pass defense package, with Thomas staying at safety. When Fisher went down Thomas moved to the nickel – a hybrid linebacker position – and sophomore Jeremi Wilkes played strong safety. When Thomas was injured at USC the Orange turned to walk-on linebacker Dom Anene to play the nickel with Wilkes remaining at safety.

Shafer now can go back to the original plan or can mix and match Thomas, Fisher, Wilkes and Anene as he feels the situation warrants. The reinforcements have arrived just in time, as Syracuse will likely be in the Okie a lot against a tam that averages 45 passes a game.